| Putting the SHINE on Science |
|
The SHINE Harrow Project, which offers weekly Saturday science classes to 60 children in Year 8, is a pioneering example of borough-wide co-operation between state and independent schools. It aims to make science – and especially physics – exciting and meaningful for girls and boys alike, with a 12-week programme called Exodus from Earth that focuses on establishing a new colony on a newly discovered planet. Four simultaneous two-hour classes of 15 children each are being held on Saturdays this term. The project is being directed by Park High School under the guidance of Sir John Rowling, from the Department of Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). Sir John paid tribute to the generous financial support of the SHINE Trust (an educational charity helping children in London and Manchester), of Harrow Council's Education department and of John Lyon's Charity. Taught by a team of teachers drawn from the schools involved, SHINE is being hosted by The John Lyon School, an independent boys’ school, in its state-of-the-art £3m Science and Drama Building opened in October 2008. A number of science technicians are on hand to provide support to the teachers. Joint Project Co-ordinator and Park High School teacher Rachel Hughes said: “We are very impressed with the talent and enthusiasm of the children in the project and are incredibly grateful to all the schools involved for their cooperation and support. Planning and delivering the sessions is a blast! ” The John Lyon School’s Headmaster, Kevin Riley, said: “Whether they’re in the private or public sector, all good teachers want to foster a love of learning in children. This is an excellent, innovative project which does just that, so we are delighted to share our resources with our partners in local state schools to help children from disadvantaged backgrounds get to grips with science at an early stage.” “Our Head of Science, Saajan Rana, has been closely involved with overseeing the team of teachers and technicians and with making sure the children and teachers visiting us every Saturday have everything they need to make the project run smoothly.” The SHINE project’s aims include getting more children to opt for individual science GCSEs – in Physics, Chemistry and Biology – rather than the combined science Single or Double Award GCSEs. Sixth-formers from Park High School attend the classes, acting as role models for the Year 8 children taking part. The initiative could be used as a model for other boroughs, with the resources developed for the project also being made available to teachers nationally on the internet. The schools taking part are all part of the Harrow Independent State School Partnership. The three independent schools are: Harrow School, St Helen’s School and The John Lyon School. The ten state schools are: ENDS MEDIA CONTACTS: Mr Kevin Riley on 020 8872 8400 |
.jpg)
Thirteen state and independent schools from across Harrow have teamed up to give disadvantaged youngsters a space-age boost in science.